“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” — Romans 12: 1-2

During the 22 years and four days of his life, Brandon Wade Buras accomplished many
things—the greatest of which was that he found God and preached the Bible before every rodeo he competed in.
Two of his major goals were to become a family physician and ride in the Professional Bull Riders Tour.
Brandon was set to graduate in 2002 and slated to attend medical school at Louisiana State University,
but he was killed by a bull at a PCA Rodeo in Gonzales, Louisiana. He had been riding bulls since he was

14 years old. He was laid to rest at the Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Pine Grove, Louisiana where
he was an active member. Romans 12 was his last sermon and this scripture has brought great comfort
his family and friends.
“Binky” as he was known in the rodeo arena, was from Montpelier Louisiana. He was
Salutatorian of the 1997 graduating class of Oak Forest Academy High School. As a high school student, Brandon was
active in the Beta Club, the 4-H Club showing livestock, and the track team where he earned a pair of bids
to the State Meet. He was a member of the Mississippi High School Rodeo Team and attended the National High
School Rodeo Finals in 1995 and 1997. He was awarded the Lane Frost Memorial Scholarship at the finals in 1997
and received many other academic awards in high school.
After high school, Brandon attended Southeastern Louisiana University and was a senior
majoring in Biology and Pre-Medicine. He was President of SLU’s Rodeo Association, Vice President of
Delta Omega Alpha, a member of Tri Beta Club, the 13 Club Honor Societies, Mid-South Bull Riders
Association—competing in the 1999 finals—and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He also worked at
Rehab Tech in addition to other jobs while in school.
Brandon taught all those he touched much about life. He would often say, “follow your
dreams and never quit.” He was never afraid to speak up for what he believed in including his faith in God.
Brandon truly lived his life to the fullest trusting in God.